Negri Sembilan ban on political ceramah in mosques in place since 2018, says Menteri Besar
SEREMBAN - Negri Sembilan has enforced a ban on political ceramahs in mosques and surau in the state since 2018, through an order issued by the Negri Sembilan Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS), its Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun said today.
He said such action was to ensure mosques and suraus would not be misused as well as protecting them from political elements.
"In Negri Sembilan no politicians can hold a ceramah in a mosque as we respect it. There were those (politicians) before reading the khutbah, but it has long stopped after the announcement.
"If you want to have a ceramah make it public, that is much easier and more comfortable. Don't disturb (the mosque and surau institutions) as it will be a headache for us.
"This was also done to prevent division among Muslims," he said during a press conference after the Weekly Post Exco Meeting at Wisma Negeri on Wednesday.
He explained the situation is now different if they were asked to become the imam during prayers in a mosque or surau as it did not involve any speech or ceramah.
The media previously reported Perak banning Dewan Negara members, MPs and Assemblymen of all states from participating in teaching or lecturing in any mosque or surau registered under Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk).
The ban included those who were retired from their positions but were still active in the political scene.
Terengganu as well informed all political members including MPs, Assemblymen and Dewan Negara members were banned from having religious ceramah in all mosques as well as suraus in the state.
It had also banned them from delivering the Friday Khutbah.
When asked regarding the permission for outside speakers to hold a ceramah in the state Aminuddin said there were no restrictions so far.
"We are not preventing it, but we did say it is only those ceramah involving political elements, that is why we remind those to stay vigilant.
"We do not want to damage the institutions and the Islamic religion itself," he said.
